U.S. Faces China Hurdle in Cambodia

By

Chun Han Wong

Updated Nov. 15, 2012 12:51 p.m. ET

KAMPONG SVAY, Cambodia—When Asia-Pacific leaders gather this weekend in Southeast Asia—a bright spot in a sputtering global economy—their Cambodian hosts may extend a warm welcome to U.S. President Barack Obama, but they will view officials from Beijing as old friends.

Mr. Obama's visit to Cambodia—this year's host for the East Asia Summit—will be a first for a sitting president. But for Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his...